A double-overtime goal from junior Lindsay Gorham lifted the Lady Wildcats over the Merritt Island Mustangs 11-10 in their Tuesday night district semifinal game. With the victory, the Lady Wildcats advance to the district finals, playing the Satellite Scorpions, who defeated Viera 13-1.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Gorham said. “It wasn’t just about my goal. It was about the effort that we put in, and the team’s motivation to have this not be our last game. We weren’t ready for our season to be over.”

Falling behind 4-1 in the first half, the Lady Wildcats rallied to end the period, tying the game 4-4 at the break.

In a game marred by hard feelings from the teams’ previous match-ups and a controversial “stick check” after sophomore Faryn Antenucci’s game tying goal, the Lady Wildcats kept cool heads and were able to hold off a late surge by the Mustangs, ending the overtime period tied at 10-10.

“Your demeanor can change your entire performance when it comes to lacrosse,” said junior Sierra Purden, who tallied eight assists of the team’s 11 goals. “If you let the other team or the referees get inside your head, your game will suffer.”

The team advances to the district finals with high hopes and a plethora of confidence, having split the season series with the Scorpions, each team winning the game on its opponent’s field.

“We know what we have to do to beat this team. We understand their dynamic and what they bring to the field,” Gorham said. “We just have to trust ourselves and remain confident. We’re the underdogs, but we know we can win.”

The district final game will be at Satellite High School on Thursday, starting at 7 p.m.